IAIA

I often start out in 2nd gear. Especially at a stop light when I want to "gently beat" the next car without pounding the throttle. Just seems smoother without the shift delay, and I think it actually gets up to speed quicker. My mechanic says there's no harm. What say you?

Jeff V.

It's fine. The car has plenty of torque. 2nd gear starts are actually recommended in older cars when you're starting out on a slick surface and you don't have traction control. There's less torque acting on the tires, so there's less chance of breaking loose.

Billy346

This car starts in second pretty easily. I let the clutch slip a little more when starting in second and it doesn't buck at all, I don't see any harm in it.

LIStingray

Except that that additional clutch slippage is clutch wear.

Jeff V.

If you're doing all the time, it'll wear the clutch faster. But you face the same trade offs when it comes to braking and cornering habits as well.

vxplt

C6_Racer_X

I do this in older M6's with the 1-4 "skip shift" all the time. It's an easy way to avoid that "help".

I'm not sure the clutch wear is all that much more either. Yes, you slip a bit more than starting in first, but when you start in first, there's also potential to slip it a bit shifting to second, and with most folks, it's probably a wash.

IAIA

Exactly, that was my concern. It doesn't lug, but there is a longer amount of time while engaging the clutch. Doesn't have to be if you focus a little more, but sometimes there is.

IAIA

Speaking of which, allow me to hijack my own thread, to some extent: One of the reasons I hated the A8 is because I like slowing down by downshifting, but with paddles or even rev matching, it causes an abrupt engagement of the lower gear and associated instantly high revs. Instead, I feather the clutch out to slow down, like in highway traffic when red lights come up. I always think that wears out the clutch quicker, and I'm pretty sure it does. Makes sense.

badass1g

I'd comfortably say that doing so will cut your clutch life in half. Or worse...

Billy346

True, but I let the clutch slip when I start out in first as well, so I doubt there is much extra wear in the big scheme of things.

Billy346

Try using the active rev match.

It sounds awesome, and you don't have to slip the clutch to smooth out the transition.

Pineapple

More wear on the clutch, other than that no issues.

Skid Row Joe

When street racing as you described, you'll want to start in 1st - Launch Control too, if applicable. Fact is, you can start out in 3rd gear. The C7 M7, can handle it. .

Skid Row Joe

Which particular C7, do you have?

dvilin

I really have not run into any situation where starting out in 2nd gear made sense, or was called for.

GOC

Is it just me or does 1st gear in the C7 feels slow? I've read about the throttle response issue but it just feels slow even with 40% throttle or so, I often see the car next to me at the red light "beating" me and they aren't flooring it or anything.

Then shift to 2nd and the car just takes off with the same throttle. I never tried starting from 2nd in this car so I wonder if it will be faster.

C6_Racer_X

If you turn off all the nannies, you shouldn't notice that. I'm pretty sure the nannies severely reduce engine torque/power in first gear no matter what.

I haven't driven a recent C7 to verify this, but that's common on other "high performance" vehicles with far less torque and power available. On the latest VW GTI's and higher powered Audis, it's very noticeable, and turning it completely off ranges from difficult to impossible, although reducing the interference is a matter of turning down the nannies.

Skid Row Joe

1st gear's perfect, IMO.

fumbling

I completely agree that 1st seems slow. Even a Prius goes faster when I start out in 1st and shift normally at moderate revs, and then when I'm in second it seems I can easily outrun any car.